Improvement in processes and apparatus for treating rice, wheat, corn



UNITED STATE R. BERKELEY FITTS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORT() HIM- 'r OFFICE.

sELF AND GEORGE w. WAITT, or SAME PLAoE.

IMPROVEMENT INPRUCESSES AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING RICE, WHEAT, CORN,&c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,271, (lated July25, 1871.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, R. BERKELEY FITTs, ofthe city of Philadelphia, Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements inthe treatment of rice, wheat, corn, and other grain, andin apparatus forsuch treatment, for the purpose of removing the hull, husk, or coveringof the kernel, of which the following is a specilication: A

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the description,Figure l is a longitudinal section of the outer chamber or cylinder withinner cylinder, presenting a side elevation; Fig. 2, an end view withclosing-cap in position; Fig. 3, an end View looking into the interior,the inner cylinder being removed; Fig. 4, the same end view, the innercylinder in position; Fig. 5, an'end View of the small cylinder byitself.

A represents the outer walls of a steam-cylinder from two to three feetin diameter and four to six feet in length; B, the inner Walls, a spacebeing left between the two; C, the space between outer walls A and innerwalls B of one -to two inches; D, the chamber embraced within the innerwalls B; E, pipe for supplying steam into Space C Ef,v drip-pipe leadingoff from space C F, pipe whose oiiice is to Vsupply steam to chamber D;F', pipe for carrying the drip from chamber D; G, frame or base uponwhich the apparatus rests; H, eduction-pipe for carryingaway `vapors,&c.; I', the handle by which the cap I is lifted to position or removed;J, a short shaft, arranged as in Fig. l; K, a clutch upon the inner endof shaft J, with which the counterpart K engages, as and for thepurposes hereinafter set forth; L, a pulley upon the outer end of shaftJ; M, a cylinder, a little less in diameter than chamber D, preferablymade of wire-cloth, and is the receptacle for the article to be treated,and

Y is arranged to be rotated on its longitudinal axis,

for thepurpose of keepingl its contents stirring; N, a frame suitable tosustain the cylinder M, which has bearings at a a o, iianges upon thesides of the base of frame N, as represented in Figs. l, 4, and 5; p,grooves running along the lower portion of chamber D, in which theiianges o sllde or move; these parts being to make provision forconveniently introducing the grainholder M into chamber D and removingthe same.

A track laid in place of grooves p a-nd trucks arranged upon thecylinder M may be used to facilitate the introduction and withdrawal ofsaid cylinder, this track extending outwardly somewhat beyond the mouthof chamber D.' A slide, S, or, if preferable, a door hung upon hinges,r,is provided in cylinder M, through which the grain is introduced, and,after treatment, poured out.

In operation my device is as'follows: Having dra-wn out the wire-clothcylinder, as in Fig. l, a-nd turned it so the slide S will be upon thetop, and having partially withdrawn the latter, l iill in from asuitably-arranged conduit the rice or gra-in to be treated, close theslide S, and move the cylinder M into chamber D, and, having suitablyclosed the mouth of the latter with cap I so as to render it air-tight,the steam is let on, being admitted through pipes E and F, acommunication having been provided between the two that the pressure inspace C and chamber l) may be uniform. Now, the steam is brought indirect contact with the contents of cylinder M, which, to facilitate theprocess. iskept in constant rotation by suitable power applied to pulleyL, the clutch K engaging with its counterpart K. This steam should havepressure suflicient to secure of 2200 to 2400 Fahrenheit promptly incontents of chamber M, which will be indicated by the steam-gauge, asthe object is to soften and loosen the hull or skin, so it may afterwardbe easily removed. The time for continuing the presence of the steam incontact will depend upon different grains and their differentconditions, and the degree of pressure of steam, and can be properlymeasured 4only by experience. It must ever be borne in mind the steam isnot intended t0 cook the grain. The next'step is to shut off Steam fromthe interior chamber D, and, having removed the cap I and drawn outcylinder M, as in Fig. 1, to bring to bear upon the contentsthereof-thenow heated and swollen ri ce or grain a powerful blast ofcold air, a conduit therefor 'leading from a capacious fan-blower andterminating so as to discharge full upon the chamber M, the obj ect ofthis cold blast being, by inducing such close contraction, to crack anddisengage the hull. Following the steam and cold blast would come adrying and scouring process. rlhis may be accomplished by returning thecylinder M to the chamber I) and keeping up a continued rotationthereof; the steam now confined to the space U will supply heat forrapid drying. Suitable material to roll with the contents of M may beplaced within to aid in removing the hull or skin. Instead of earring onthe drying and scouring in chamber M, other suitable drying-ovens may bearranged near by and cylinder M used for the steaming process only. Inthe case of rice the hull only wou] d require removal, and a scouringand polishing given to the kernel. In treating wheat a more completeremoving of the cuticle would better it it for the iiouring-mill andrender it more desirable for breaking to be used as cracked or coarsewheat. If a single treatment to steam and -cold blast prove notsufficient to answer the end intended the same may be repeated.

I claim for this method of hulling rice, or removing the outer coveringof wheat, rye, or corn in the kernel, much less breaking of the kernel,and, having destroyed the germ, to have added much to its keepingqualities.

`The process can be rapidly carried on, is economical, and vastquantities can be treated without great outlay for apparatus. 1

, What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. The process herein described for the treatment of rice, wheat, andother grain, consisting of the direct application of steam, followed bythat of cold-air blast, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The steam-chest D, steam-j acket C, and Wirecloth cylinder M, whenall arranged and operating as and for the purposes specied.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

R. BERKELEY FITTS.

Witnesses:

EDM. F. BROWN, D. C. CoLLEY.

